Park pitches open air alcohol policy
Clearview council had a mixed response to Creemore Village Green manager Jeremy Mantesso’s proposal for an open air alcohol policy in the park.
Mantesso pitched the idea at Monday’s council meeting. He said the program is modelled on a successful pilot program in Toronto that has resulted in people of legal drinking age being allowed to consume their own alcoholic beverages in 54 Toronto parks after the Liquor Licence and Control Act was amended in 2019 to give municipal councils the opportunity to change their bylaws to designate a public place, including parks, for personal alcohol consumption.
Although permitting and other controls would be necessary during special events when alcohol is sold in the park, at all other times people would be able to bring their own unopened alcohol into the park and consume it there between specific times, currentlyproposed to be between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Mantesso said he envisions locals and tourists taking advantage of the policy by purchasing some local beer or wine to enhance their picnics in the park, giving people another reason to linger in the village, and providing local businesses another revenue source.
He said, “I think, not only would it benefit Creemore, but it benefits Clearview as well, as the destination. It positions our area as forward thinking, with an openness to explore change for the positive.”
Mantesso reported that the Creemore Community Foundation – the park’s managing body – has already secured liability insurance and is committed to communicating with the public should there be a change in policy. He said he hopes that a constant staff presence in the park and security surveillance should deter unruly behaviour.
A vote to direct staff to investigate permitting open alcohol at Creemore Village Green and any updates required to the property management agreement with the foundation passed with a 5-2 vote.
The nay votes came from Phyllis Dineen and Marty Beelen who share concerns about security and policing.
“I think we’re inviting more problems than what we are benefitting from,” said Beelen. “I don’t think the township is benefiting and I don’t think our bylaw officers should have to be there.”
Dineen suggested there should be hired security guards on site and that with a lack of transit options, drinking and driving is a concern.
Robert Walker also voiced concerns about security and policing.
“Do you feel you are contributing to under age drinking by allowing the openness? We know what children are like – ‘we can go raid Dad’s fridge or cupboard and way we go,’ so now they’re given an opportunity to go somewhere and sit,” asked Walker.
“I don’t think this impacts under age drinking… in terms of promoting it,” responded Mantesso. “There is obviously a legal drinking age, which is 19, and this open air drinking policy wouldn’t change the legal drinking age so it’s effectively illegal whether this policy is in place or not. If anything, with clearly articulated guidelines, awareness and video surveillance, I actually think it might act as a deterrent.”
Deputy Mayor Paul Van Staveren said it was a great idea but there are a lot of issues to reconcile before moving forward.
“[We want to make sure that] you guys assume full liability. I can tell you, there’s no appetite from this council to take on any more liability than we already have,” he said.
Robert McArthur suggested maybe limiting the times that open alcohol would be allowed in the park to better police it.
John Broderick, the council representative on the Creemore BIA, made no comment but did move the motion.
Washrooms are also a concern. Van Staveren said because Station on the Green doesn’t want more people in their washrooms, the township has purchased portable washrooms that have been parked at the Village Green.
After the vote passed, Mayor Doug Measures asked the CAO to put some heat on it so that the staff report would be available by the end of June in the interest of getting things in place for the summer season.
